PrintJanuary 24, 2009
Chicago Public League to ban cheering at basketball games
Well that didn't take long; the glow from the inauguration of the first African-American president is rapidly dimming. In President Barack Hussein Obama's (D) Chicago, the school system, recently under the superintendency of new Education Secretary Arne Duncan,
issued the following directives for high school sports competitions.
The Public League is taking drastic measures to curb a rash of violence that has erupted at its basketball games in the last week.
Chicago Public Schools director of sports administration Calvin Davis told the Tribune late Thursday that three changes would be implemented for the rest of the season:
•All varsity boys basketball games will begin at 4 p.m.
•Fans from the visiting team will not be allowed to attend.
•In some cases in which there has been a history of trouble between schools, no fans will be allowed to attend the game.
Mob gang fights, shootings and other acts of violence, especially in minority neighborhoods, forced this drastic action. In all fairness to Duncan and his successor, these rules will minimize--not unfortunately, eliminate--the real dangerous problems associated with inter varsity games between some schools. Unfortunately it will also minimize a good opportunity for unifying a school's student body as they let off youthful steam in a positive outlet. But in this situation, I agree with the Chicago Public Schools.
Rick Moran adds:
The Chicago Public League plays some of the best high school ball in the country. Every year, one or two players make the jump directly to pro ball. Some of the best pros hail from the league and its teams are always in the running for the state championship in Illinois.
This is not the first time the school board has been forced to take these kinds of measures. And its always for the same reasons - violence that breaks out in the stands or outside the venue.
A sad commentary on the state of the school system that was run until recently by Obama's choice for Education Secretary.
Thomas Lifson adds:
I am confused. I thought Obama had already fixed Chicago's schools with his hundred million dollar Chicago Annenberg Challenge.
